Method and device for the continuous coating of cores by means of a dragée-making apparatus

Abstract

Continuously coating cores by a dragee-making apparatus including at least one rotatably driven drum in which the product is coated with one or several coating materials or is subjected to other treatment processes. The charge of the product to be processed divided into small individual charges at the inlet end of the drum is conveyed through the drum in a clocked manner and treated in individual treatment chambers separated from each other. The longitudinal conveyor that conveys the individual charges through the drum embodies the individual treatment chambers in connection with the inner wall of the drum. The products to be treated constantly rotate in the revolving drum without being conveyed in the longitudinal direction, the longitudinal conveyor located in the drum conveying the product from one treatment station to the next as required. A passage is formed from one chamber to the adjacent, other chamber if necessary.

1. A method for continuous coating of cores with a dragée-making apparatus comprising at least one rotatably driven drum ( 1 ) in which a product ( 5 ) is coated with one or several coating materials, comprising the steps of
 dividing the product ( 5 ) to be processed at the inlet side of the drum into individual charges; 
 transporting the individual charges of the product through the drum ( 1 ,  91 ) in a cyclical transport mode; 
 subjecting the individual charges of the product to be coated to at least one process step in individual processing chambers ( 7 - 13 ;  72 - 74 ) separated in the axial direction of the drum ( 1 ,  91 ), wherein each processing chamber is closed off from one another; and 
 transporting the product ( 5 ) residing in a respective processing chamber ( 7 - 13 ;  72 - 74 ) in the cyclical transport mode from the one processing chamber ( 7 - 13 ;  72 - 74 ) into the additional adjacent processing chamber ( 7 - 13 ;  72 - 74 ) by at least one longitudinal conveyor ( 3 ,  76 ) which conveys in the axial direction of the drum ( 1 ,  91 ) decoupled from rotary motion of the at least one rotatably driven drum ( 1 ,  91 ). 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing chambers provide spraying, powdering, distributing the coating materials, and drying. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the volume of the individual processing chambers ( 7 - 13 ;  72 - 74 ) is adjustable. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the individual processing chambers ( 7 - 13 ;  72 - 74 ) has an adjustable axial length. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the transport speed of the product is adjustable. 
     
     
       6. The method for continuous coating of cores with a dragée-making apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of subjecting the product to at least one of additional treatment processes including spraying and drying. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the cyclical transport mode represents a clocked, cyclical rotation of the longitudinal conveyor such that a length of time that the product remains in the individual processing chambers is controllable, without moving the product in a longitudinal direction.